Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1887-02-19
"ENNUI HOUSE"
Cassell's Magazine.


The four sisters gathered round the
open window in their pretty drawing
room, and looked at each other in
DISNEY. Fond as they were of good
old Aunt Judy, it was an invitation
which no one was anxious to accept
just then. Next week Drowsytown
would be astir with the festivities of
the annual tennis tournament, closely
followed by grand fete and garden
party, in celebration OF distinguished
and unusual birthday. For Sir Ste
phen Largham's son and heir did not
come of age every year.
Nevertheless, this was an invitation
which must not be disregarded.
"How many has Aunt Judy invit-
ed?" said Francesca, in tone OF evil
dent resentment.
"Only one" answered Barbara,
with pleasant smile.
"Oh, then Geraldine had better 60,
as sue Is tne youngest,
Pretty Geraldine grew very red, and
looked dlstressed-a circumstance
whish gave rise to a good deal OF
good-natrred banter among the girls,
until Gabrielle. who had been reading
the letter over Barbara's shoulder,
broke in with
: at is too bad of you to tease so,
Francesca. You need not bother
about it; I'll 90. / don't mind"
At Gabrielle's decided tone Barbara
looked up quickly.
Nonsense, Gayl l shall 60, OF
course"
Barbara was accustomed to be an
oracle to her sisters. Ever since they
had been children she had taken the
dear mothers place, and, though
frauleln, their old governess, was
now house keeper and chaperone to
their elder years, it was Barbara to
whom the younger sisters looked, and
who must decide all questions and
disputes. But on this subject Gabri-
ellie was determined to have her own
way. In spite OF the entreaties and
protestations OF her sisters, she re-
manned firm, bringing forward so many
good reasons why she should go to
"Ennui House" that her sisters be-
gan to believe that she was really
anxious to assist Aunt Judy's pet
curate, Mr.. Slack, in looking after
the wants OF his parish.
tWbat n ha,t tta Iuat CaraId;naov
she added, as the sound of footsteps
IN the hall sent that blushing little
damsel flying to the mirror to arrange
her hair. "Here comes Mr.. Tom
Forrest to practice it."
sand Cousin Agustus," said Fran
: cesca, sinking into a chair. "Don't
you hear him numbering UP the
stairs?"
II am afraid Mr.. Forrest will never
know that duet" remarked Barbara.
"Well we must talk over Aunt Judy's
letter with Fraulein by and by"
For the entrance of Cousin Agustus
at that moment, followed, by a tall,
good-looking young man, pu. an epd
to the conversation.
CHAPTER II.
A low, large, irregular, picturesque
house, standing in the midst of all
old-fashioned rambling garden. The
small diamond. paned windows smiled
out through clusters of pink and
white roses; honeysuckle and sweet
peas clambered up the porch. Over
thered roof the high, faint, faraway
tree tops stood sleeping against
the quiet blue sky; there was not
a breath OF wind to wake them, not a
breath to stir the cool shadows on the
cleaning lawn. The white curtains
hung in unruffled starchness in the
airy drawing-room, whose windows,
opening out on the lawn, disclosed the
spacious dim interior into which the
long shadows stretched. Wide, pleas
ant, cool, well-ordered, smothered to
the very roof in flowers, fragrant with
all the delicious odors of June, Leafy
Hall looked as if it scarcely deserved
the somewhat ungracious sobriouet OF
"Ennui House" Even the absolute
stiffness which pervaded the place
could scarcely warrant so harsh title.
1t had been bright June morning.
Nothing but the monotOnous hum OF
bees broke the silence of the drowsy
afternoon hours, for Lne mistress OF
the house was taking a nap under the
great wide-spreading chestnut tree on
the lawn. An imposing, portly
parsonage was Aunt judy, with brown
curls waving on either side of her face,
around, pleasant, rosy countenance,
asuggestion OF eyebrows, and a doubly
double-chin. She was dressed in an
airy muslin gown, with large fiowery
pattern on a white ground, which, with
\ the cap ornamented with roses and
pink ribbons surmounted the brown
|curis, gave her q somewhat gay ap-
pearance. Her hands were resting on
her lap, her eyes closed. and her head
nodding forward, while her knitting,
eluding her otherwise ousy fingers, was
slowly sliding over the lilac edge. The
gay woods were already scattered i'm
bright profusion on the grass, for a
tiny black kitten with impish eyes was
making the most OF its opportunities.
1t seized the blue ball in its mouth,
shook it, and carried it q little way,
when a long string OF pale yellow,
cleaning on the grass, attracted its at
tention. The blue ball was instantly
abandoned, and away it went, catch
ing its little feet in the red and brown,
and rolling over and over in its efforts
10 get free again.
What little torment that kitten |
was! Aunt Judy could keep nothing ]
tidy. 1t was everlastingly in her work